Christina has made her own way
for as long as she can remember and juggled men for even longer. The love ‘em
and leave ‘em type, she finally said goodbye to Virginia, moved to Maine, and
made a fresh start. Or so she thought until her best friends were pulled back
in time. Better yet, when a stubborn Claddagh ring on her finger declares she
can run but can’t hide. Not when it comes to men from medieval Scotland.

First-in-command of MacLomain
Castle, Graham MacLomain has more secrets than most and wants nothing to do
with a lass from the future. Especially not one who is promised to King Robert
the Bruce. Yet the moment he makes contact with Christina before she travels
back in time, he is drawn to her. Soon enough, despite his own commitments and
a life that can never include her, he’s eager to be by her side.

Friends from the start, Graham
and Christina devise a plan to pretend true love found them. Now they can
discreetly dodge destiny and follow their own paths. The only problem? Destiny
is unavoidable. Passion sparks and love ignites. Days before the Battle of
Bannockburn, they’ll have to face the truth and make a heartbreaking choice.
Give in to how they truly feel and destroy all those they care about or turn
away, and save Scotland from ultimate ruin.

They met each
other’s smiles, not a bit of discomfort between them as they discussed things
that would be entirely inappropriate with any lass from his time. More than
that, anything he would ever talk so casually about with a lass he just met.

“So back to us
moving forward together and trying to save my country.” He considered her. “Are
ye up for it, lass?”

She seemed to
contemplate it as she continued eying him. “So let me get this straight. You
want to skip all the love and intimacy and see if we can get out of this
ring-binding thing while we pretend to be together?”

“More the pity
on the intimacy part but aye,” he said. “What about ye? Do ye want to move
forward with me and take control of our own destiny rather than have anyone
or,” he glanced at her ring, “anything dictate it for us?”

She crossed her
arms over her ample enough chest and tapped her foot as she thought about it.
“Y’know what, Graham, I reckon I do.” She shook her head. “But can it be done?
Can we be together without actually being together?”

“I think ‘tis
best that we give it a try.” He nodded, more sure of this quickly hatched plan
by the moment. “Just as long as ye realize we cannae truly be together.”

“That sounds
doable.” Yet he saw the curiosity in her eyes. “So what gives? Are you in love
with someone your kin has forbidden?” Her eyes rounded in intrigue. “Secretly
married?”

“Is it so
important to know?” He remained perfectly honest with her. “Because I would
rather not share quite yet.” Graham issued his most charming smile. “Right now,
‘twould be best if, by the time we return to the house, we could say we’re
smitten and desire one another.” He shook his head. “And no one else.”

Christina’s
full, perfectly shaped lips twisted as she considered his offer. “What’ll
happen if we don’t?” Her foot tapped a little faster. “Is Bryce gonna want me?”
She cocked her head. “And is he a real dragon?”

“Half dragon,”
he said, sure to sound grave. “But aye, the MacLeod can easily shift into a
ferocious beastie.” He shook his head. “One that is frightening to behold.”

A little smirk
returned to her lips as she listened to him. “You’re exaggerating, aren’t you?”

“Nay.” He arched
his brows. “I’ve seen my cousin embrace his dragon, quite recently in fact, and
‘twas terrifying.”

Her smile didn’t
budge, and her bonnie eyes never wavered from his. “You’re determined to play
this up I see.” She stepped a bit closer, her tone that of a co-conspirator as
she looked right then left before she met his eyes again. “All right, I’m
game.” She pointed between them. “You and me. How do we go about it without
everyone knowing we’re trying to trick ‘em?” She held up her hand between them
and eyed the ring. “And what about this?”

“I think, for
starters, we let my cousins see how intense the attraction is betwixt us
already.” He nodded. While he had intended to spend more time getting to know
her, it really wasn’t necessary now. She was on board with deceiving everyone,
and that’s exactly what he needed.

“Wow, glad to
see you’re decisive,” she commented, but he could tell she approved. “Just
wondering…won’t your kin see right through it? Better yet, your sister?”

“Nay, they
havenae been around me enough to know better,” he provided.

“Ah.” She gave
him a knowing look. “So you really are off with lots of women.” Her look turned
sly. “Or one extra special top secret mystery gal.”

“I didnae say
that,” he denied.

“You didn’t have
to,” she said with approval, eying him over again. “Like I said, it makes
sense.”

He smiled.
“Thank ye.”

“You’re
welcome.”

“Yer quite
bonnie yerself,” he said, comfortable with how frank they were with each other.

She grinned.
“Heck if I don’t know it.”

“So we are in
agreement then?” he said, still dishing out his most charming smile though he
knew he didn’t have to. “We were smitten the moment we met, and refuse to be
with anyone else.”

About
the Author:

Sky Purington is the bestselling
author of over thirty novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and
bred who recently moved to Virginia, Sky was raised hearing stories of
folklore, myth, and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance, and
time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.

Purington loves to hear from
readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington. Interested in keeping up with
Sky’s latest news and releases? Either visit Sky’s website, www.SkyPurington.com,
subscribe to her quarterly newsletter or sign up for personalized text message
alerts. Simply text 'skypurington' (no quotes, one word, all lowercase) to
74121 or visit Sky’s Sign-up Page. Texts will ONLY be sent when there is a new
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